When Maureen Lowson became fed up with soaring crime levels on her estate, she decided to do something about it.

Drugs, burglaries and vandalism were daily difficulties for residents on Eastfield Estate in Walkergate, Newcastle. But 13 years ago, NHS receptionist Maureen decided enough was enough, and she founded the Eastfield Action Group.

“We started working with police, councillors and neighbourhood wardens and built up good relations with officials,” said Maureen, 65, whose husband Malcolm died three years ago.

“Now there is a waiting list for people to come on to the estate. It’s all through building up good partnerships. And if there is one message to come from it, it is - if you don’t like where you live, then do something about it.

“In July we held the second football fun day after forming a link with the Newcastle East End Junior Football Club.

“There were about 500 children involved, and we raised £4,500 towards it so parents didn’t have to pay a penny for their child to be on the pitch.”

Now Maureen has become heavily involved in the Asylum Seekers Unit too, and is keen to spend more time helping new families integrate into the community.

“We work closely with asylum seekers to get ethnic minorities involved in the community and help them settle in,” she said.

When Maureen is not busy volunteering, she can be found spending time with son Karl, 44, and his wife Karen and four children, daughter Pamela, 42, her husband John and their five children, and daughter Karen, 36, her husband Steve and their three children.